James Cleverly Resigns Shadow Cabinet to Run for London Mayor

Shadow Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government James Cleverly resigned from the shadow cabinet with immediate effect to run for Mayor of London in May 2028. The Conservative MP for Braintree intends to challenge the Labour incumbent, Sadiq Khan, who has not yet confirmed if he will seek a fourth term.

Cleverly criticized Khan for being "asleep at the wheel" and accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of treating the city as a "cash cow." To focus on the race, Cleverly will campaign from the backbenches and will not seek re-election in his constituency during the next general election. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accepted the resignation graciously.

Reform UK has already named Laila Cunningham as its candidate for the mayoral race. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, criticized Cleverly's decision to abandon his Essex seat. Cleverly is expected to present his campaign case to party members at the Conservative party conference in October.